VIDEO: Calf Chat with Ann – 7 Winter Newborn Calf Tips

Posted on December 27, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

With Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
Cold temperatures are especially tough on newborn calves. In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator, provides seven tips to give newborn calves the best start possible.

VIDEO: A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser – Adding onto the Calf Barn

Posted on December 27, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

With Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy
Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy, shares some of the features of his recently completed calf barn addition as well as some of the challenges he encountered through the process.  Thank you to Jonathon for sharing his farm and calf raising strategies with us throughout 2017. 

Veterinarian’s Corner: Impact of Waste Milk Quality on Calf Health and Performance

Posted on December 27, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Dr. Jeremy Schefers, University of Minnesota, and Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
Quality and hygiene are important considerations when feeding waste milk to nursery calves.  Benefits of on-farm pasteurization include reduced diarrhea and respiratory disease.  Proper pasteurization also kills Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (responsible for Johne’s disease), Salmonella and Mycoplasma, if present in milk. 

Nutritional Needs in Calf’s First 10 Days

Posted on December 26, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator The first days of a calf’s life set the stage for its health and performance as it grows. Day 1 Colostrum is a loaded first meal for the young calf.  Calves require fat and protein for energy and muscle development in the first days of life, as

Fast Fact: How Much Bedding Do My Calves Need?

Posted on December 26, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist Question:  How Much Bedding Do My Calves Need? Answer:  Visually evaluate feet, knees and outer thighs of calves daily.  If all three areas are clean, the goal of keeping calves clean and dry has been met. A bit more:  Clean and dry calves are a

Regional Report: Northern Michigan

Posted on December 26, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Charlie Kunisch, Vita Plus dairy & beef specialist
With the beginning of December came the beginning of winter in northern Michigan. Areas across the northern part of the state have seen upward of 12 inches of snow and temperatures dropping into the teens.  As producers dig out their calf hutches and thaw waterers, here are a few things to consider.

Calf Care Quick Tip: Newborn Calf Resuscitation

Posted on December 26, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Dr. Sheila McGuirk, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
Have resuscitation supplies close to the birthing area. The tools needed are simple:  (1) clean, dry towels, (2) pieces of straw 4 to 6 inches in length, (3) 60cc syringe, and (4) ice water.

VIDEO: A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser – Weighing Calves and Sanitation Check with Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy, and Kyle Mathews, Ag Partners Cooperative

Posted on October 25, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

In this segment of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser, Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy, teams up with his nutritionist, Kyle Mathews of Ag Partners Cooperative, to weigh calves and also evaluate sanitation of calf care equipment.

Veterinarian’s Corner: Maternity Care Matters to Cow and Calf – Dr. Owen Mickley, Vita Plus

Posted on October 25, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Dr. Owen Mickley, Vita Plus dairy specialist
The maternity phase is critical for both the cow and calf, and a high-stress period for the cow.  We can help her be more productive by ensuring her transition into lactation is smooth.

Regional Report: Minnesota – Greg Wiener, Vita Plus

Posted on October 25, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Greg Wiener, Vita Plus dairy specialist
This fall's terrible swings in weather have led to many challenges in calves less than two weeks old, and most of those challenges revolve around cleanliness.

VIDEO: A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser – Newborn Care with Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy

Posted on August 23, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

In this segment of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser, Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy, explains the protocols he and his team follow to care for newborn calves and fresh cows.  With many team members responsible for maternity care, they use several communication tools to keep everyone up to speed.

Think Feet at the Feedbunk – Pat Hoffman, Vita Plus

Posted on August 23, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Pat Hoffman, Vita Plus dairy technical specialist
So we fire up the tractor, load the TMR mixer, turn into the central feed alley of the heifer freestall barn, and start discharging feed. Typically, the last thing we want is the heifers to run out of feed, so we make sure they have plenty. 

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Regional Calf Report: Eastern Iowa – Stacy Zitelman, Vita Plus

Posted on August 23, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Stacy Zitelman, Vita Plus dairy specialist
July brought many storms with damaging winds and heavy rainfall, followed by a few weeks of high humidity. Keeping calves dry, hydrated and stress-free has been a challenge for producers this summer.

VIDEO: A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser – Dealing with Heat Stress with Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy

Posted on June 20, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

In this segment of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser, Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy, highlights the numerous things his team does to keep calves healthy and strong through periods of hot weather and heat stress.

NEW! Veterinarian’s Corner: When to Do a Necropsy – Dr. Jenn Rowntree, Military Ridge Veterinary Service

Posted on June 20, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Dr. Jenn Rowntree, Military Ridge Veterinary Service
Calf rearing is one of the most time-consuming and important tasks on a dairy farm.  The performance of any pre-weaned calf program has a direct impact on a herd’s future and milk production.  Whether it's a 50-cow dairy or a 5,000-cow dairy, it is easy for attentive calf caretakers to become frustrated when calves get sick or die.  Working closely with your herd veterinarian is crucial when it comes to investigating causes of calf illness, whether it's due to scours, pneumonia or other diseases.

NEW! Veterinarian’s Corner: Guidelines for Proper Vaccine Handling – Dr. Kevin Ratka, Vita Plus

Posted on April 20, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Dr. Kevin Ratka, Vita Plus dairy specialist
Vaccination protocols are very important to maintain the health and productivity of each herd.  A considerable amount of time is spent discussing and analyzing which vaccines should be used and when is the optimal time to use each vaccine to achieve maximal immunity.  However, sometimes the basics of vaccine handling and storage get overlooked, leading to poor response to the vaccine and putting herds at risk for disease.  Here are some of the basic guidelines to ensure optimal results.